Best Shot Monday - glee

Last weekend the cooler fall weather heated back up a bit, and we had plans to go apple picking that fell apart due to a variety of factors. We wound up at Clemyjontri Park with friends, and the kids had a great time - can you tell?

Head on over to Mother May I, where Tracey shares the love in her house, to see what other Best Shots people are sharing.

PS - If you have an extra minute, please head to 5 Minutes for Mom, and vote for my photo of Ben (#14) - thanks!

Wow! Please vote!

My photo for the Sleeping Angels photo contest the other day is now a finalist! I'm so excited about this. I can already envision Ben's room with this fabulous new furniture in it - unfortunately I have to actually win for that to happen, so I need your help! I need your votes!

Think of it as practice for November 4th. Except Ben is a lot cuter than either candidate. So head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom, and vote for Ben (#14 - A Tale of Two Kiddies). I'd really appreciate it! I would also like to use more exclamation points in this post!!!

The rules say that you can vote once per computer, though we found at our house that I believe we share an IP, and couldn't vote on each of our computers. But give it a try - maybe it will work for you!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

picnic dinner

Saturday my kids were overtired despite long naps, and I had a feeling that dinner was not going to go smoothly. So I decided that for dinner, we would have a picnic! In the family room! While watching a favorite show! (Charlie and Lola is a GREAT show, btw.)

Claire: I don't liiiiiiike that picnic blanket, I want the blue one.
Me: This is my favorite picnic blanket. It's the one I used when I was a little girl, and I went on picnics with Nonno and Nonni and Aunt Jen, and Uncle David and Aunt Sarah.
Ben: When you were a little girl named Mommy?

Yes, buddy. You got it.

Best Shot Monday - sunrise

The sunrising behind the opening ceremonies at last weekend's Susan G. Komen 3-Day. This was an amazing, life-changing experience. When time allows I hope to post a much more detailed post about the weekend. For now this will have to suffice.

Check in with Tracey at Mother May I for a look at other Best Shot Monday posts.

Sleeping babies

I don't think there is anything more heart-melting to a mom than a sleeping baby. My "babies" are growing up - much faster than I want them to. Much faster than I am willing to admit sometimes. But sometimes I still walk in on just the right moments. I'd been sitting with Ben, with his head in my lap, and then got up to go do something in the kitchen. I realized it was awfully quiet in the family room and peeked in to find this.

The lovely sisters at Five Minutes for Mom are sponsoring a giveaway that I just couldn't miss out on the opportunity to win. My "baby" could use a big-boy room, and when I saw the Summer Breeze line that's one of the available prizes I knew it couldn't be more perfect. Because Ben is in the smallest bedroom I've been planning on looking for a Captain's bed to get the extra storage underneath, and I've already bought sheets and comforters in red and blue stripes to go with the two gorgeous framed pieces that we have for his room. I would love to have this set to help move things along on the path to making his "big boy" room, even though it will probably break my heart just a little.

Emily - 0, voice recognition software - 2

Last time I battled with, and finally outsmarted, the voice recognition software in the car. This time it was on the phone. I lost. Today I was trying to get through to a real live person (a feat in and of itself) at my credit card company, but the Fates (and a two year old) were working against me.

Phone: If this is correct, please press, or say, one.
Ben: MOMMMMMMMMMMY!
Phone: I'm sorry, I did not understand your response.
Me: frantically presses 1 over and over
Phone: If this is correct please press, or say, one.
Ben: MOOOOOOO-OOOOOOMMMY!
Phone: I'm sorry, I did not understand your response.
Phone: Please press, or say, your 16 digit account number, now.
Ben: MOMMY! I need WATER!
Phone: I'm sorry, I did not understand your response.
Me: bangs head on desk. bangs phone on desk.
Phone: I'm sorry, I did not understand your response. Returning to the main menu...
Ben: Mommy? Can I have water? Water? Mommy, water?
Me: gives up. hangs up.

Best Shot Monday - my girl

This picture is from a weekend at the lake in late August. Claire kept wanting me to take pictures of her making funny faces, but I caught this one when she was in between funny faces and just being herself.

I am determined to make the time to get to visit all of the other great shots going on over at Best Shot Monday, and you should, too!

funny

Claire and Ben having an imaginary phone conversation. Please note that apparently phone conversations best take place at top volume!

B: Hello, who are you?
C: My name is Claire Pyatt, P-I-T-T-T-T-T-T-T.
B: And my name is Ben Pyatt, T-T-T-O-O

Best Shot Monday - Say CHEEEEEEEESE

Ben and his buddy Ethan, cheesing for the camera.


To see more shots from Best Shot Monday make sure to check in with Tracey over at Mother May I!

Best Shot Monday - Claire and Patrick

The week before Labor Day I had to work, but the kids weren't in school yet. We paid a fortune to the babysitter for the first two days, and then my parents took the kids down to the lake for the last three. We managed to get there on Friday while the kids were still napping, and so I got this absolutely adorable picture.



Patrick is a dog my sister got from FAO Schwartz. He was bequeathed to my parents when Sarah started moving into apartments that were far too small to house a giant stuffed puppy, and now he is Claire's buddy when she's down at the lake. He sleeps on her bed at night, and when she "rests" in the other room he has to go with her.

Sometimes now Claire can act so mature, but moments like this make it easy to see how little she still is.

Go over and check out Tracey's pictures of her daughters, and everything else that will be shared at Best Shot Monday!

and we'll have fun, fun, fun...

A few weeks ago we attended a Beach Boys concert with my parents at Wolftrap Foundation for the Performing Arts, which is, conveniently, just a few minutes from our house. This was our birthday present for Dad, and everyone had a great time - particularly the kids.


Ben took a while to warm up because we had to wake him up from his nap to get in the car and go, so he settled in with Nonno to eat some cheese and crackers.

Claire and Nonni had a lot of fun dancing.

Doesn't Ben just look thrilled? I actually like this picture of myself, though, so I'm posting it anyway. :)

Me, trying for something a little different. Those in the family will recognize the picnic blanket in the top right from picnics 25 years ago (or more).

Ben finally decided to bust a move.

Last dance - awwww.

I love this picture, even though you can't see my dad's face, and while snapping away I didn't notice that woman behind Claire. Something about the way she is looking at him.

We really had a fabulous day - good food, good wine, fun music, a patch of shade, and a very enthusiastic crowd. I think that we will all be eager to go back again next year.

First Day of School

Today was Ben's (and my) first day of school. The entire ride to school every time we passed kids waiting at the bus stop or saw a school bus he told me, "Those kids are going to school. Just like me!" He was very eager to begin his day - particularly since it started with sitting down at the table at school to eat his yogurt and cereal bar. Yum! He didn't even notice my leaving, and I was too stressed about making it to work on time that I didn't even have time to cry. I did tear up a little when I recounted it to my office mate later in the morning, but we all survived.

Of course I couldn't resist taking some pictures before we left the house - we were only running a few minutes behind.

First I asked Ben for a thumb's up. Instead he flashed me his gang signs.

Wait, that's better - complete with a totally cheesy grin. That's my boy!

And of course Claire couldn't resist getting in on a photo-op!

When I picked Ben up he was just getting up from his nap. All we can get out of him about his day was, "I went outside and played and stuff and sleeped." Sounds like a busy day to me! When I ask him about his teacher, Miss V., he tells me that she helped him go potty. (She told the parents at the meet and greet a few weeks ago that she would have the whole class potty trained in 2-3 months. Good luck with my stubborn boy, I will support you every step of the way. He told me tonight that he is excited to go back tomorrow, so that's a good sign. I think we're going to have a great year!

bring on the smiles

Yesterday I was pleasantly surprised to find out that my lovely, long-time friend, Colleen, had given me a very special gift.



The Rules:
1. The recipient must link back the the award's creator (http://www.thebabblingsofmere.blogspot.com/)
2. You must post these rules if you recieve the award.
3. You must choose 5 people to recieve the award after recieving it yourself
4. You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award, as posted by Mere.
5. You must post the characteristics of a recipient.
6. You must create a post sharing your win with others.
7. You must thank your giver.

Characteristics for the Smile Award:
1. Must display a cheerful attitude. (not necessarily at all times--we are all human)
2. Must love one another
3. Must make mistakes
4. Must learn from others
5. Must be a positive contributor to blog world
6. Must love life
7. Must love kids

I definitely have #3 and #7 covered. It was just the kind of pick-me-up I needed yesterday to know that someone else sees all of the other characteristics in me. Colleen is such a kind person, always doing something for others. If you have a minute to take a look at her blog you will see how much time and energy she puts into making her house a happy home for her husband and her three gorgeous kids. I wish she wasn't all the way up in Maine, but I keep trying to convince her that a trip to DC would be a fun way to spend their vacation. Maybe one of these years!

I'm going to break one of the rules and pick only three people for this award today. Some of the others that I would have chosen don't have their own blogs - imagine!

1. Julie at Rarely Home Mom is an amazing person. She has such an enormously good heart. We share a love of reading, cooking, and having fun with our kids. Although I've never met her in person I've known her online for probably close to 5 years. I consider her a kindred spirit, and am lucky to "know" her.

2. Paige at My Home is My Heart fills her blog with a delightful combination of humor, fun, and adorable pictures of her kids. She is an amazing woman and mother, and I really enjoy getting to read these snippets of her life every day.

3. I know my friend Leah doesn't typically participate in these sorts of things, but it just wouldn't be right to leave her out. First of all, her kids are so freaking adorable that I love being around them. Not to mention that mine have a blast when we play together. Leah is someone I haven't known for very long, but it seems like that doesn't matter at all when we're together. She's one of the few people that I can talk to about absolutely everything, and when we go out for our "ladies night" dinners we talk and talk and talk until the waitstaff is ready to throw us out of the restaurant. And then we leave with things still unsaid. She is a true friend, and a wonderful mom, so I had to include her on this list.

Thank you ladies for being a part of my life - even if most of the time it's only via the computer screen. I really enjoy the glimpses into your lives that you post on your blogs.

Behind

I've missed two Best Shot Mondays - and not because I don't have pictures to share. Things have been a little bit crazy around here lately, and I just haven't been making the time to post, so I thought I'd share some of the kids latest funnies.

Claire: Hey mama, you know what?
Me: What?
Claire: Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
Me: Probably not. What are you thinking?
Claire: We didn't see any shark pajamas when you bought my new polar bear pajamas.
Me: ....

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Ben: I'm a scary dragon!
Claire shrieks and hides on the couch.
Claire: Help! It's a scary dragon!
Ben: *offended* I not a dragon any more. I a Benjamin!

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Yesterday we went to a Beach Boys concert with the kids and my parents at a local outdoor venue. All week I'd been talking about it with the kids, but Ben had a little trouble keeping things straight.

Ben (Monday after nap): We go to the Beach Mans today?
Me: Not the Beach Mans, buddy, the Beach Boys.

Ben (Tuesday morning): Today we see the Beach Kids?
Claire: It's the Beach BOYS, Ben.

Ben (Friday afternoon - finally catching on): We're going to a picnic-concert. The Beach Boys. Not the Beach Mans.

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Yes, we've been very busy, but it sure has been fun!

Best Shot Monday - hula

Ben takes a break from learning to hula hoop to pet the turtle.

I don't know what it is about this picture, but something about it just strikes a chord with me. Click on over to visit Tracey at Mother May I for more great pictures from Best Shot Monday.

What a way to start the day.

Ben: I don't want to be a good listener. I want to be a grouchy boy!

Best Shot Monday - story time

This is probably my favorite image from our recent trip to North Carolina. On our very last night there, after putting on his pajamas, Ben wandered out to the family room, and asked Brian's grandpa to read him his bedtime story (Paddington Bear). Claire joined them as soon as she got her pj's on. Seeing the three of them all sitting together in the chair, and knowing how much that moment must have thrilled Papa Jim made my heart melt.

Head on over to see more shots from Best Shot Monday at Mother May I.

The times they are...

a changing.

Around here anyway.

In just a short time - a month from tomorrow to be precise - I will be headed back to work. This is not something that I was seeking out, however it is an amazing and exciting opportunity that was too good (and unpredictable) to let pass by.

I will be working at the same middle school that I taught at before Claire was born. This time I will be serving as a math resource teacher - helping the students who need it the most. Our goal is to raise student test scores starting with the incoming seventh graders.

I can't tell you how immensely flattering it was to have the school seek me out and tell me how much they wanted me to take this position. I have been lying awake nights ever since coming up with ideas of what we can do for these students, and how to best accomplish it. I have dozens of ideas of ways that I can help the classroom teachers.

At the same time I am extremely anxious at the prospect of being away from my kids for so long every day. I have no doubts that they will flourish in their respective schools, but I worry about missing out on so many little moments in the day, or feeling like I have the time to just stop what I'm doing to roll around on the floor with them - or dance in their pajamas.


I know there will be a learning curve for the whole family as we get used to a new arrangement. I know that we will continue to make many happy memories together. I know that there are times that I will love it and times that I will hate it. I know that we will have lots of help as we get used to things.

It's not going to be easy. But it will be good. For all of us. I know.

Stolen moments

This morning the kids were at a high-level of neediness. I, of course, was running around trying to get a lot done in not enough time. Welcome to my life. I put on our Imagination Movers DVD, which usually makes everyone happy while they dance and sing along. They squabbled. "Don't touch me!" "No, Claire! I don't want to dance with you!"

Until I separated them. You get this half of the carpet, you get this half. As soon as I looked away, they were sneaking onto each other's space - giggling together. Conspiring against me. I'm all for it since the whining stopped. Temporarily.

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Some of my favorite recent memories:

Ben: Mama, I want to tell you something.
Me: Yes?
Ben: A car got broken, and a tow truck fixed it and a fire truck fixed it.
(He repeats this at every rest and bedtime. In its current incarnation there are also usually five tractors of different colors who also help fix the car. Staller extraordinaire.)

Me: Why are all of the pillows on the floor?
Claire: All of my friends are coming. We're having a hotchskop (hopscotch) tournament. If you need me send me an email, ok Mama?

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Right now the silence is wonderful. The dog is sleeping in Daddy's chair, head resting on an Elmo slipper. (Oh yes, he is a daddy's boy.) Ben is quietly snoozing in his crib - he chatted for approximately 12 seconds after I put him in, and then dropped right off. When I last left Claire she was setting up her chairs and her bunny blanket to make a tent for all of her "friends". Now I hear no pitter patter of footsteps on the dining room ceiling (no KABLOOM of jumping off of her bed, either). I imagine her up there on the floor in a tangle of blankets and stuffed animals, legs stretched out in what appears to be an impossibly uncomfortable position. Flushed cheeks and even breathing. I wish I could sneak in, but her door sticks, and invariably wakes her. I will just have to hold onto the picture my mind has built, and wait for her to wander downstairs with creases on her cheeks, and eager for hugs.

Best Shot Monday - uncles

Growing up I had two uncles, one aunt, and no cousins until I was halfway through college. One of the things I am so excited about for my children is being part of a big family. They have 7 uncles and 4 aunts, and more great-aunts and great-uncles than I could possibly count.

We don't always get to see a lot of all of the aunts and uncles, though we do really try to make an effort to do it whenever possible. I was pleased to get this picture on our recent trip to North Carolina.


Ben was intrigued by what Uncle Calvin was doing on his computer (looking at magic cards).

Check out more shots from Best Shot Monday over at Mother May I.